Lessons, lessons { Sa’ato + Aliclair | Closed }

[Aliclair Austjor]

Ali's ears swiveled back for the most part but her tensed demeanor was loosened when he didn't appear upset due to invasion of privacy. She flashed her canine another glare before taking Sa'ato's advice. She'd gotten comfortable against Brutchus' mane, tucking her arms underneath her while shutting her eyes, a mixture of the desert skiff's machinery and the winds blowing throughout her tufts lulling her away for the brief moment she had. The whining of a transport that didn't belong to them caused her non-cleaved ear to swivel.

She immediately lifted her head, her vision taking a few seconds to adjust to having them closed for awhile. Ali got to her feet almost instantly and stood near the stern of the skiff, glaring slightly before equipping her mask to clearly see how much time they had before blasters started blazing. "I hate well organized bad guys." she rumbled before reaching behind her to whip her bow into shape for usage. Ali contemplated through her small bit of arsenal; she can't risk any sort of explosions... The only thing she could think of to do was to shoot down the pilot and cause the whole skiff to spiral out of control. Reaching behind her, she unsheathed a thin needle-like trajectile then whipped it to the side to unsheathe its shaft to full length, three metallic and barbed small triangles unsheathing from the tip. Wasting no time, she decked the arrow and pulled back, the spheres on each end hummed with electricity. Using a mixture of her own natural instincts, the mask for a clearer vision and the winds coming off the skiff, she aimed then released. The arrow whisked off, but to be on the safe side, the feminine prepared another arrow to dock. Hopefully, this would be a one shot one kill scenario.

[Professor Mors]

At their present distance, Sa'ato very nearly opened his mouth to dissuade Aliclair from making the effort. However, when the first arrow flew free, he could only watch in bafflement. Normally, the shot would have been impossible: but with the Force, anything could happen. Far away as he was, the Neti did not see the bolt lodge perfectly into the capacitor of the bow-mounted cannon on the lead skiff. He similarly could not hear the gunner cry out in surprise and accidentally caused the entire emplacement to fall into the mid-deck. And, while the academic did not register the font of fire that quickly enveloped the lead vessel, the ear-shattering explosion and wreath of smoke were hard to miss.

Sa'ato smirked as the two remaining dust clouds, and the skiffs hidden within, eased off and out of visual range. "Impressive", the professor offered in earnest, "Most impressive- no doubt they will return, but this has at least bought us time to prepare". As the Sith and Elder's posse entered the first bend of the canyon, the Neti made sure all were armed and ready to engage at a moments notice. A half hour elapsed before the whine of unfriendly repulsors broke through the din. The two enemy skiffs came into view at the rear, and immediately opened fire. Sa'ato, having borrowed a blaster pistol from one of the Weequay, shot back in kind.

What concerned him more than the lack of cover was the movements beyond the file of assassins firing from the railing. Then he saw the occupants of the second skiff crowding the first, as they seemingly picked up speed. "They mean to board us!", the academic growled as a lucky shot nearly grazed his shoulder. Sa'ato focused his instincts and channeled his frustration, scoring a hit and downing one would-be assailant as the enemy sped closer still. The Neti's band would have to remove their ranged assets before dealing with the mob brandishing vibroblades and shockprods, or else even the Darksiders would be overwhelmed…

[Aliclair Austjor]

Aliclair stayed on her perch to watch the arrow whisk out of view. But her ears picked up what her eyes couldn't see, causing them to swivel forward. Shortly followed by a sound of distress than an explosion caused her tail to curl with satisfaction of knowing her aim was true. She collapsed the second arrow she'd prepared and slotted it back within its holder before turning and stepping down, lifting the technified mask off her face and met with praise. Blinking her opalescents, the feminine couldn't help but to let her lips curl into a small smile, from flattery and knowing she'd done well. "As I've said, predator." she wittedly said, keeping her bow in hand just in case another wished to test their fate in her line of sights.

Ali turned her head once more when the enemies decided to reemerge in a short time frame, quickly ducking into a crouch when the firing started. Her mixed ears slicked backwards, a small growl rumbling her throat. Sheathing her bow behind her, she got locked and loaded mentally before peeking out the side of the skiff to determine the distance. She could make it. Pulling her head back, she equipped her mask once more, grabbing her saber in hand while taking a racer's starting sprint, inhaling then exhaling then ran down the skiff full speed. Leaping on the skiff railing then leaping once again, using a mixture of her own muscle and Force Jump, Ali was able to make the jump onto the enemy skiff, tackling one of the Weequay to use as cushion while landing. This caused the crew on the first ship to turn their attention toward her once again. Brutchus began to grow restless, getting to his clawed paws and pacing in place and whimpering. With the activation of both plasma blades, Aliclair did a quick 360 to quickly dispose of any enemies around her before quickly standing to deflect any oncoming bullets. Her goal was to incapacitate everyone on the first skiff then use said skiff to crash the second one to get these guys off their tails for good.

[Professor Mors]

Sa'ato blinked twice as Aliclair flew into the mass of foes with terrific speed. Her initiative was not something the academic could contend with. Nonetheless, the Neti exhaled, engaged his twin sabers, and leapt after her. The Felidae had done well to reduce the number of gunmen with her first strike. Of the three that remained, two had leveled their blasters at the feline while the third took a pot-shot at the airborne Neti. The retired teacher hissed and swatted the stray bolt aside with his main blade, landing roughly on the fore-deck. He was not nearly so graceful as his companion, but that mattered little under present conditions.

As the brigand fired again, Sa'ato achieved a cleaner deflection with his shoto, guiding the blast into the floor. From there it was a simple matter to cleave through his aggressor's weapon arm at the shoulder. As the sharpshooter wretched in shock and agony, one of their comrades managed to board the skiff at the rear, pointing their vibrolance at the Neti with malicious intent. The former professor could sense the chassis shift underfoot, as the no-doubt panicked pilot at the very back moved to evade a small but potent rock pillar bisecting the canyon. Reaching out with his thoughts in all directions, the Neti charted the obstacle with his mind's eye.

His mastery of telekinesis was not so great as to manipulate the charging lancer. His wounded colleague however, was relatively stationary in their pained deluge. Sa'ato waited several long seconds before the two aligned in front of him. Unhooking two sinuous fingers from the shoto so as to guide his will, the academic snapped his digits to the side, flinging the disarmed Weequay into their unsuspecting ally. Both lost their footing and toppled over the railing before– crunch– they impacted into the merciless spire of rock and crumpled from view. The errant professor smirked, content for a fleeting moment until two axemen bounded the divide between skiffs.

What tireless, thankless work had befallen him. After this business concluded, the Neti was looking forward to a long, uninterrupted rest in the evening sun…

[Aliclair Austjor]

Ali's jackal-like ears pricked then swiveled backwards, followed by her eyes to see the Professor had taken action. So much for her original plan and now it was time for a new one. The feminine caught glimpses of Sa'ato's combat performance while making her way to the pilot of the skiff, bright buzzing lightsaber in hand. Fear coursed them, and figuring abandoning ship was better, they were greeted by allies helping them onto their skiff while the two axemen boarded. Aliclair, met with the current circumstances, instinctively gripped the stirring mechanism to prevent the desert vehicle from spiraling out of control.

Now, it was Ali who was panicking as there were two heavy hitters and she was stuck on pilot duty. Despite the irony in that, she had to think of a way to assist. Looking around for a brief moment, she realized she had a tail. Using said tail, she wrapped it around the stirring stick so she could keep her lightsaber in hand to fight off the axemen if they decided to go for her. If not, she'd need to offer ranged support for the Neti Professor.

[Professor Mors]

Fortunately for Sa'ato, the two newcomers were not eager to immediately meet the fate of their recently crushed comrades. Unfortunately, they felt that regaining control of the skiff and leaving the Neti to their fellows was of immediate priority. Aliclair, of course had her hands, and indeed, her tail-full. The axemen were larger than most of their allies– and clearly not lacking for speed in spite of it as they barrelled toward the Felidae. The professor could afford to regrow a limb or three: his companion, less so. Powering down his weapons momentarily, the academic called on the Force to aid his split-second scheme.

Empowered thus, Sa'ato leapt high into the air, somersaulting once before reigniting both blades behind his back. His main saber caught the leftward axe with ease. The Neti's shoto however, lacking in the leverage of its sibling, was met with such tenacity from the other hefty vibroblade that the professor was forced onto one knee. Humbled and straining to maintain the block as raw plasma crackled overhead, the errant teacher craned his neck to meet his companion's gaze, growling with urgency, "Whatever you're planning– do– it– now!". With a groan, the Neti began to fight his way back onto his feet, hoping to draw out the clash as long as he could…

[Aliclair Austjor]

For the few moments in time, Ali froze with the large assailant coming her way. Her ears slightly drooped to the side of her head, flashes of her battle with the Lord of Torment disrupting her sense of time. It took the Oaken Neti diving infront of her to protect her and put them off long enough to activate her plan is when she snapped out of it. Perking her ears upwards, she assessed the situation. Assessing the situation, she concluded with the plan originally thought up was going to end in disaster. Aliclair had no doubts that they could pick themselves up and recover if she decided to suddenly turn the skiff. Perhaps disaster is what they needed at the moment...

Knitting her brows, she suddenly pulled hard against the stirring stick of the skiff to send it into a sharp turn, sheathing her deactivated saber into its sheath on her lower back, Ali scrambled, looping Sa'ato's arm within hers to balance him out while the two axemen, not as nimble to coordinated with uneven footing, tumbled and inevitably fell ontop of one another. "Come now, Professor, our stop is here!" she called, pulling him to his balance then running along the railing to take a huge leap onto their own ride, looking back to ensure Sa'ato made it.

[Professor Mors]

Sa'ato's Force-attuned senses fired in warning long before the Felidae made her move– not that he was able to react given the strength of two veteran Weequay bearing upon him. Mercifully, with a little help from his companion, the Neti was able to weather the sudden loss of inertia as the skiff began to veer toward an assured demise. Observing Aliclair as she quickly leapt out of harm's way, the professor looked back just in time to witness the drifting chassis collide with its still-occupied twin. The impact wrenched the portside of the lead skiff upward, catapulting the Neti into the air before he could so much as blink.

Just then, repulsor-vanes and power units were mulched by the rock walls, causing both enemy skiffs to erupt into a ball of fire and ash. The blast flung Sa'ato further, and it was only through the grace of quick thinking and his command of the Force that he succeeded in shielding himself from the infernal heat. He also managed to direct the bulk of the concussive blast away from his body– but when the academic finally hit the deck of the Elder's friendly craft, it was hardly graceful. The professor crunched harshly onto the durasteel plating, and probably would have rolled right off the chassis were it not for a single protective guardrail.

By the end of his journey, Sa'ato managed to sit upright, and regarded Aliclair with a tired but approving nod. With the danger finally passed, the Neti remained in that position until the suns dipped beyond the canyon's crest, and the convoy at last reached its destination. Upon arriving at their main stronghold, the host of the Elder's people streamed out from their dwellings with a mixture of relief and fear given the unprecedented attack. Kanda did his best to allay their concerns, but the professor could feel the fog of doubt clouding his mind. As he moved to speak with them, the Neti jumped with a start as gnashing fangs came within an inch of his leg.

Looking down, the retired teacher found he had almost walked through the half-eaten meal of– Butchus? No, this was certainly the same species, but definitely a different beast. Whether they belonged to one of the sentries, or was simply a stray, Sa'ato did not know much less care. He gave the appropriate space, and continued on his way. As the Neti approached the Weequay Elder, seemingly finished with his assurances and relaying orders, he watched their expression sink some as the Darksider drew close. "There is no means to repay what you have done for us", Kanda spoke once again with an even tone, "You may choose from among our best warriors".

Yes, take the best of the stock and leave those that remained all but defenseless, Sa'ato wagered. The Elder's code of honor could and truly doom his own people. After a period of silence, the professor answered in turn, "Yes, we shall have your warriors… and others". The Neti raised an eyebrow as the slightest hint of surprise shone on the Elder's face, "Others?". "Indeed", the academic continued, "Through no fault of your own, weaker foes have amassed in such numbers that the odds are immutably against you and your clan. We shall transport settlers of your choosing to return with us to Korriban. It is a harsh and unforgiving place, but not unlike your home".

"And so they would serve you?", the Elder inquired carefully. "They would live, by whatever means they choose", Sa'ato corrected, "Those that remain here will be free to train and meet our needs– those that migrate to the Sith heartland will be free to enlist, if they so wish". Now it was Kanda's turn for silence, until he at last lowered his head in obeisance. The two discussed the details briefly, before the professor took his leave to let the veteran have some peace and quiet. Night had fallen, but it had not brought a veil of darkness and despair with it: not this day at least. The Neti looked up at the stars for a time, before turning to see what had become of his colleague…

[Aliclair Austjor]

Aliclair's eyes slightly widen; he was supposed to follow behind her. She quickly stood to jump back but her large companion latched his sharp teeth into her tail to stop her. "Professor!!" she hollered with pure panic and concern while trying to dislodge her tail from the maw of Brutchus. Efforts aside, Ali could do nothing but watch the Neti essentially become airborne, her lips slightly ajar and while attempting to catch him via telekinesis, the velocity and brute force of the blast outweighed her abilities and she flinched at Sa'ato meeting the metal floors. "O-oh my Gods-" she shuttered breathlessly, going to his side when her canine released her tail. The tense feeling of the unknown lifted off her shoulders when she received confirmation that he was fine. She went to say something but his nod was enough words for the both of them. Occupational hazard, jobs within these Galaxies were. Aliclair just sat with him until their stop.

Brutchus' eyeless sockets caught one of his own, approaching cautiously. It was hesitant but seeing him lay down in compliance, decided it would be okay to join and make company.

Aliclair watched as Sa'ato left, staying on the skiff for awhile before exhaling shakily then looking around. She stood up, stretching out her body. He had left her alone; she could really take off and go into hiding. Just, run away and never look back. The feminine blinked tiredly with her ears drawn downwards, scaling the tall wall to stand ontop, looking out. Exhaling once more, it was there she decided to just sit down and watch the star above. "So this is it.. cowardice, Austjor..." she thought bitterly, shutting her eyes in defeat. After awhile of solitude, her ears perked upright then looked down to spot the Professor. Taking one last look to her salvation, freedom, Ali just ended up leaping down, using some ledges before landing fully on the ground.

[Professor Mors]

Sa'ato had very nearly looked straight at the Felidae in the distance– but stopped short as a sudden breeze swept over his person. It was as if the last embers of heat from the smouldering afternoon had wrapped themselves round the Neti like a shawl. The depth of his fatigue weighed on him. Surely there was no harm in leaving the debrief– and the Sith's departure for the morning. The professor turned about, and sought a small hill near the back of the compound on which to perch. Selecting a pleasant, flat surface, the arboreal academic seated himself in a meditative posture, and opened himself up to the cosmos.

The light and radiation his system craved would be delivered in smaller doses at night, but given a normal humanoid sleep cycle, it would suffice. As he gradually crept into unconsciousness, the Neti reflected briefly on the developments of the day. His companion's performance, his own, and the fate of the local tribe. How different it all might have been if the slightest variable had been adjusted. Sa'ato entertained a few fleeting notions of training or historical study before his mind finally fell quiet. One by one, Sriluur's five moons began to refract sweet nourishment from their hidden solar siblings. On the heels of quiet contentment, sleep took root at last…